Glasses apparatus for watching display image

ABSTRACT

A glasses apparatus which works in conjunction with a display apparatus which operates in a multi-view mode to combine and output a plurality of contents. The glasses apparatus includes: a first interface module which receives a synchronization signal in a first wireless communication method; first and second glasses mounted on a glasses frame and which are driven in synchronization with one of the plurality of contents based on the synchronization signal; a second interface module which receives an audio signal of at least said one content in a second wireless communication method; a controller which selects an audio signal of said one content from among audio signals corresponding to the plurality of contents, and an audio outputter which outputs the audio signal of the selected content, and which is integrally formed with the glasses frame.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a)from Korean Patent Applications No. 10-2012-0003180 filed Jan. 10, 2012,No. 10-2012-0071790 filed Jul. 2, 2012 and No. 10-2012-0117933 filedOct. 23, 2012 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, thedisclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in theirentirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

Apparatuses and methods consistent with exemplary embodiments broadlyrelate to a glasses apparatus for watching display images.

2. Description of the Related Art

With the development of electronic technology, various types ofelectronic products have been developed and distributed. Particularly,various types of display apparatuses, such as TVs, cell-phones, PCs,notebook PCs, PDAs, etc., have been widely used in general households.

With the increasing use of the display apparatuses, user demands formore of various functions for the display apparatuses has increased.Accordingly, manufacturers put in more effort to meet the user demandsso that products having new functions such as a provision of a 3Dcontent, etc. are emerging.

Also, in recent years, development efforts are being made for displayapparatuses and glasses apparatuses which can simultaneously display aplurality of contents and allow multiple users to watch differentcontent.

Accordingly, when a user selects a single content which he or she wantsto watch among a plurality of contents, a method of providing an audiosound of the selected content to the user is needed.

SUMMARY

Exemplary embodiments have been developed in order to overcome the abovedrawbacks and other problems associated with the arrangement of therelated art. An aspect of an exemplary embodiment is to provide aglasses apparatus which can provide a user with an audio sound of asingle content which he or she selects among a plurality of contentswhich a display apparatus is displaying. One or more exemplaryembodiments may overcome the above disadvantages and other disadvantagesnot described above. However, it is understood that one or moreexemplary embodiment is not required to overcome the disadvantagesdescribed above, and may not overcome any of the problems describedabove.

The above aspect and/or other aspects can be substantially achieved byproviding a glasses apparatus which includes: a first interface modulewhich receives a synchronization signal in a first wirelesscommunication method; a glasses frame, a first glass and a second glassmounted on the glasses frame and which are driven in synchronizationwith one of a plurality of contents output on a display apparatus basedon the synchronization signal; a second interface module which receivesaudio signals of at least one content from among the plurality ofcontents in a second wireless communication method; a controller whichselects an audio signal of said one content from among the audio signalsreceived by the second interface module; and an audio outputter whichoutputs the selected audio signal of said one content, wherein the audiooutputter is integrally formed with the glasses frame.

The audio outputter may be installed inside the glasses frame.

The audio outputter may include an audio data processor which processesthe audio signal to generate an audio sound; and an outputter whichoutputs the generated audio sound.

The glasses frame may include a glass mounting portion which holds thefirst glass and the second glass; and a wearing portion which isconnected to the glass mounting portion and is worn by a user.

The outputter may include a first outputter which outputs the audiosound to a first ear of the user; and a second outputter which outputsthe audio sound to a second ear of the user. The wearing portion mayinclude a band portion connected to the glass mounting portion; a firstholding portion which is connected to a first end of the band portion,which has a first outputter mounted therein, and which includes a firstsound-emitting hole; and a second holding portion which is connected toa second end of the band portion, has a second outputter mountedtherein, and which includes a second sound-emitting hole.

The audio data processor is provided inside one of the first and secondholding portions.

The first holding portion and the second holding portion may be formedto slide on the band portion.

The first holding portion may include a first body connected to a firstend of the band portion; and a first sound-emitting portion which isprovided on the first body and includes the first sound-emitting hole.The second holding portion may include a second body connected to asecond end of the band portion; and a second sound-emitting portionwhich is provided on the second body and includes the secondsound-emitting hole.

The first outputter may be provided inside the first sound-emittingportion, and the second outputter may be provided inside the secondsound-emitting portion.

The audio data processor may be positioned inside one of the first bodyand the second body.

Each of the first sound-emitting portion and the second sound-emittingportion may be formed integrally with the first body and the secondbody, respectively.

Each of the first sound-emitting portion and the second sound-emittingportion may be rotatably provided on the first body and the second body,respectively.

A rotation direction of each of the first sound-emitting portion and thesecond sound-emitting portion may be parallel to a side surface of auser when the user wears the glasses apparatus.

The first holding portion may include a first body connected to a firstend of the band portion; a first connecting link provided on the firstbody; and a first inserting member which is provided on the firstconnecting link and comprises the first sound-emitting hole. The secondholding portion may include a second body connected to a second end ofthe band portion; a second connecting link provided on the second body;and a second inserting member which is provided on the second connectinglink and comprises the second sound-emitting hole.

Each of the first connecting link and the second connecting link may berotatable on the first body and the second body, respectively.

A rotation direction of each of the first connecting link and the secondconnecting link may be parallel to a side surface of a user when theuser wears the glasses apparatus.

Each of the first inserting member and the second inserting member maybe rotatable on the first connecting link and the second connectinglink, respectively.

A rotation axis of the first connecting link and a rotation axis of thefirst inserting member may be orthogonal to each other, and a rotationaxis of the second connecting link and a rotation axis of the secondinserting member may be orthogonal to each other.

Each of the first inserting member and the second inserting member maybe formed to slide on the first connecting link and the secondconnecting link, respectively.

A sliding direction of each of the first inserting member and the secondinserting member may be parallel to the rotation axis of the firstinserting member and the second inserting member, respectively.

The outputter may include a first outputter which outputs the audiosound to a first ear of the user; and a second outputter which outputsthe audio sound to a second ear of the user. The glasses frame mayinclude a glass mounting portion which holds the first glass and thesecond glass; a band portion connected to the glass mounting portion; afirst body connected to a first end of the band portion; a firstsound-emitting portion which is connected to the first body using afirst wire, which includes the first outputter mounted therein, andwhich is inserted into a first ear of the user; a second body connectedto a second end of the band portion; and a second sound-emitting portionwhich is connected to the second body using a second wire, whichincludes the second outputter mounted therein, and which is insertedinto a second ear of the user.

The first body includes a first receiving groove which receives thefirst sound-emitting portion. The second body includes a secondreceiving groove which receives the second sound-emitting portion.

The audio data processor may be provided inside one of the first bodyand the second body.

The audio outputter may include a rechargeable battery or a replaceablebattery, which provides power to the outputter.

The second interface module may receive the audio sound by the secondwireless communication method from the display apparatus, and the secondwireless communication method may include one of a radio-frequency, aBluetooth, a zigbee, and an infrared communication.

According to yet another aspect, there is provided an audio outputapparatus including: an interface module which receives an audio signalfor one of a plurality of contents from a display apparatus whichoperates in a multi-view mode to combine and output the plurality ofcontents; an audio data processor which processes the received audiosignal to generate an audio sound; an outputter which outputs the audiosound; and a connecting portion which detachably attaches the audiooutput apparatus to a glasses apparatus.

According to yet another aspect, there is provided a glasses apparatusincluding: a glass frame; a first glass and a second glass mounted onthe glass frame; an interface module which receives an audio data packetof each of a plurality of contents output by a display apparatus; and acontroller which activates the interface module according to a timing atwhich an audio data packet of a content selected from the plurality ofcontents is received.

According to yet another aspect, there is provided a display apparatusincluding: a first video processor which processes a video data of afirst content; a second video processor which processes a video data ofa second content; a display which provides a plurality of contents viewsusing the video data processed by the first video processor and thesecond video processor; a first audio processor which processes an audiodata of the first content; a second audio processor which processes anaudio data of the second content; a packetizer which packetizes theaudio data processed by the first audio processor and the second audioprocessor; and a communicator which transmits a first audio data packetand a second audio data packet which are packetized by the packetizer.

With a glasses apparatus according to various exemplary embodiments, auser can listen to an audio sound of the content which he or she selectsusing the glasses apparatus.

Other aspects may become more apparent from the following detaileddescription of exemplary embodiments, taken in conjunction with theannexed drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and/or other aspects will become more apparent and more readilyappreciated from the following description of exemplary embodiments,taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating a configuration of a contentproviding system according to a first exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a glasses apparatus according toa first exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a glassesapparatus according to a first exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a view schematically illustrating a glasses apparatusaccording to a first exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a glassesapparatus according to a second exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a view schematically illustrating a glasses apparatusaccording to a second exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a view schematically illustrating a motion of a glassesapparatus according to a second exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a glassesapparatus according to a third exemplary embodiment;

FIGS. 9 to 12 are views schematically illustrating a motion of a glassesapparatus according to a third exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a view schematically illustrating a glasses apparatusaccording to a fourth exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 14 is a view schematically illustrating a motion of a glassesapparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 15 is a view schematically illustrating an audio output apparatusaccording to an exemplary embodiment ;

FIG. 16 is a view schematically illustrating an audio output apparatusaccording to another exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a glassesapparatus according to a fifth exemplary embodiment;

FIGS. 18 and 19 are views schematically illustrating an appearance of aglasses apparatus when it is used and when it is not used, respectively,according to a fifth exemplary embodiment ;

FIG. 20 is a block diagram illustrating a display apparatus according toan exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 21 is a view illustrating a structure of audio data of a pluralityof contents being transmitted using a single packet according to anexemplary embodiment;

FIG. 22 is a view illustrating a plurality of contents being packetizedby separate packets and being transmitted according to an exemplaryembodiment;

FIG. 23 is a view illustrating another exemplary configuration of aglasses apparatus which can process a transmitted audio signal accordingto various exemplary embodiments; and

FIG. 24 is a view illustrating a motion of a glasses apparatus whichselectively receives an audio signal transmitted in a form of aplurality of packets and processes the audio signal according to variousexemplary embodiment.

Throughout the drawings, like reference numerals will be understood torefer to analogous parts, components and structures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, certain exemplary embodiments will be described in detailwith reference to the accompanying drawings. The matters defined herein,such as a detailed construction and elements thereof, are provided toassist in a comprehensive understanding of this description. Thus, it isapparent that exemplary embodiments may be carried out without thosedefined matters. Also, well-known functions or constructions are omittedto provide a clear and concise description of exemplary embodiments.Further, dimensions of various elements in the accompanying drawings maybe arbitrarily increased or decreased for assisting in a comprehensiveunderstanding.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating a configuration of a contentproviding system according to a first exemplary embodiment.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the present system may include a displayapparatus 100 and a glasses apparatus 200 (glasses apparatus 200-1,200-2, etc) according to an exemplary embodiment.

The display apparatus 100 alternately displays a plurality of contentsand sends a synchronization signal corresponding to a display timing ofeach of the plurality of contents to the glasses apparatus 200. Also,the display apparatus 100 outputs an audio signal of each of thecontents to the glasses apparatuses 200 corresponding to the pluralityof contents. The display apparatus 100 may be embodied by variousapparatuses having a display, such as TVs, cell-phones, PDAs, notebookPCs, monitors, tablet PCs, electronic books, electronic picture frames,kiosks, etc.

The glasses apparatus 200 controls open timings of left and right eyeshutter glasses depending on a synchronization signal received from thedisplay apparatus 100. In other words, based on information included inthe received synchronization signal, the glasses apparatus 200 opens theleft and right eye shutter glasses while content is displayed, therebyallowing a user to watch video images with respect to a single contentamong the plurality of contents.

According to an exemplary embodiment the glasses apparatus 200 can openthe left and right eye shutter glasses when content 1 is displayed amongcontents 1 to 4 which are alternately displayed based on thesynchronization signal received from the display apparatus 100.

As described above, since the glasses apparatus 200 opens the left andright eye shutter glasses when the content 1 is displayed, the user whowears the glasses apparatus 200-1 can watch the video image with respectto the content 1 among the plurality of contents which is displayed onthe display apparatus 100 through the glasses apparatus 200-1.

On the other hand, the display apparatus 100 which alternately displaysthe contents 1 to 4, outputs audio signals with respect to the contents1 to 4 corresponding to timing when each of the contents 1 to 4 isdisplayed thereon. Accordingly, in the exemplary embodiment, asdescribed above, the glasses apparatus 200-1 which opens the left andright eye shutter glasses when the content 1 is displayed can receiveand output an audio signal of the content 1 which is outputcorresponding to the timing when the content 1 is displayed. Therefore,the user can watch the video image with respect to the content 1, andcan at the same time listen to the audio sound with respect to thecontent 1 through the glasses apparatus 200-1, which he or she wears.

On the other hand, the other glasses apparatus 200-2 can open left andright eye shutter glasses when the content 3 is displayed among thecontents 1 to 4 which are alternately displayed based on thesynchronization signal received from the display apparatus 100. On theother hand, the display apparatus 100 which alternately displays thecontents 1 to 4, outputs an audio signal with respect to each of thecontents 1 to 4 corresponding to timing when each of the contents 1 to 4is displayed thereon. Accordingly, the glasses apparatus 200-2 whichopens the shutter glasses thereof when the content 3 is displayed canreceive and output an audio signal of the content 3 which is outputcorresponding to the timing when the content 3 is displayed.Accordingly, the user can not only watch the video image with respect tothe content 3 but can also listen to the audio with respect to thecontent 3 using the glasses apparatus 200-2, which he or she wears.

The user who is watching the video image with respect to one among theplurality of contents through the glasses apparatus 200 can manipulateinput buttons which are provided with the glasses apparatus 200 which heor she wears to control the volume of the audio with respect to thecontent which he or she is now watching, and to change from a channel ofthe content which he or she is watching to another channel, or to watchcontent provided from external devices.

On the other hand, the above-described content may be a two-dimensional(2D) content or a three-dimensional (3D) content. The three-dimensionalcontent is referred to content which uses multi-viewpoint imagesrepresenting the same object from various different viewpoints for auser to feel a cubic effect.

So far, the system which includes the display apparatus 100 to providethe plurality of contents and the glasses apparatus 200 for watching theplurality of contents provided by the display apparatus 100 has beendescribed.

However, the present disclosure is not limited by the above-descriptionof exemplary embodiments. The present disclosure can apply to polarizedglass type (or passive type) display apparatuses.

The polarized glass type display apparatus divides each frame of aplurality of contents on a line basis, and forms a single frame bycombining the lines. For example, if two contents are used, thepolarized glass type display apparatus divides a frame of a firstcontent into a plurality of first lines and divides a frame of a secondcontent into a plurality of second lines. The polarized glass typedisplay apparatus generates a first frame by combining odd-numberedlines of the first lines and even-numbered lines of the second lines,and generates a second frame by combining even-numbered lines of thefirst lines and odd-numbered lines of the second lines. The polarizedglass type display apparatus displays the first frame and the secondframe in sequence. The polarized glass type display apparatus adjusts apolarization direction of each line using a lenticular lens or aparallax barrier. Accordingly, a user can watch the odd-numbered linesof the first frame and the even-numbered lines of the second frame usinga first glasses apparatus in which a left eye glass and a right eyeglass are realized in a first polarization direction, and can watch theeven-numbered line of the first frame and the odd-numbered line of thesecond frame through a second glasses apparatus in which a left eyeglass and a right eye glass are realized in a second polarizationdirection perpendicular to the first polarization direction.

The glasses apparatus which operates in conjunction with the polarizedglass type display apparatus may not include an active shutter glass, ashutter glass driver, and a first communicator. Specifically, a glassesapparatus which is used in a polarized type system may include first andsecond glasses, a glasses frame on which the glasses are mounted, aninterface module which receives audio signals of the contents, a bufferwhich temporarily stores the audio signals of at least one contentreceived by the interface module, a controller which selects an audiosignal of one content from among the audio signals stored in the buffer,and an audio outputter which outputs the audio signal of the contentselected by the controller. The interface module may receive the audiosignals in various communication methods. For example, an RF wirelesscommunication module may be used. The audio outputter may be integrallyformed with the glasses frame. Various forms in which the audiooutputter is disposed on the glasses frame will be explained below indetail with the reference to the drawings.

As described above, the polarized glass type display apparatus displayseach content on a single screen, line by line simultaneously. In thiscase, the glasses apparatus may use a polarized glasses apparatus andeach of a plurality of users can watch a video image of each contentthrough the polarized glasses apparatus that he/she wears. As describedabove, since each polarized glasses apparatus has an audio moduleembedded therein, the user wearing the glasses apparatus can watch andlisten to video images and audio sounds of a specific content even usingthe passive type glasses apparatus.

Further, the present disclosure is not limited to the multi-view mode.Exemplary embodiments can be applied to a single view mode (to watch asingle content), especially to a case when three-dimensional content iswatched in the single view mode.

Hereinafter, an audio module of the glasses apparatus according to afirst exemplary embodiment will be explained.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram for illustrating the glasses apparatusaccording to the first exemplary embodiment. Referring to FIG. 2, theglasses apparatus 200 as illustrated in FIG. 2 works in conjunction withthe display apparatus 100 (see FIG. 1, not shown in FIG. 2) which worksin a multi-view mode to combine and output a plurality of contents, andincludes an input receiver 271, a processor 272, a shutter glass 276, apower provider 278, and an audio module 280.

The input receiver 271 can receive a variety of user commands.

Specifically, the input receiver 271 can receive a power on-off commandof the glasses apparatus 200, a paring command for performing a paringwith the display apparatus 100 (FIG. 1), a content-view changingcommand, a mode setting command for setting a private mode or a publicmode, a 3D mode or a dual-view mode setting command, an adjustingcommand for adjusting an audio volume of the glasses apparatus 200, etc.

For example, the input receiver 271 may be implemented in the form of atleast one of touch sensors, operating buttons, and slide switches.

The processor 272 includes an image data receiver 273, an image dataprocessor 274, and an audio data receiver 282, a buffer 283, acontroller 284, and an audio data processor 286 which constitute anaudio module 280. The audio data receiver 282, the buffer 283, thecontroller 284, and the audio data processor 286 will be described indetail when the audio module 280 is described in detail below. Thesecond interface module 282, the buffer 283, and the controller 284 maynot be included in the audio module 280 and may be provided in theglasses apparatus 200 separately.

The image data receiver 273 can receive a synchronization signal ofimage data of one among the plurality of contents from the displayapparatus which works in the multi-view mode to combine and output theplurality of contents. For this, the image data receiver 273 may includean interface 273-1 and a receiver 273-2.

The interface 273-1 receives the synchronization signal from the displayapparatus.

For example, when the interface 273-1 is implemented in form of ablue-tooth communication module, the interface 273-1 can performcommunication with the display apparatus 100 (FIG. 1) based on abluetooth communication standard and can receive a transmission streamincluding the synchronization signal. In this case, the transmissionstream includes time information to turn on or off a first shutter glass276-2 and a second shutter glass 276-3 of the glasses apparatus 200 tosynchronize to a display timing of each of contents. The glassesapparatus 200 can turn on or off the shutter glass based on the displaytiming corresponding to itself.

On the other hand, the interface 273-1 may be implemented in an IRreceiving module and may receive a synchronization signal in form ofinfrared having a specific frequency. In this case, the synchronizationsignal includes time information to turn on or off the first shutterglass 276-2 and the second shutter glass 276-3 of the glasses apparatus200 to be synchronized to a display timing of one of the plurality ofcontents. Also, the interface 273-1 sequentially receives IRsynchronization signals having different frequencies if the switchingmode is started, and if the switching mode is ended, can receive an IRsynchronization signal which is being received at the ending time of themode.

On the other hand, the interface 273-1 can receive information withrespect to image frame rates and image frame periods of each of thecontents from the display apparatus 100, as illustrated in FIG. 1 in anexemplary embodiment.

The receiver 273-2 receives the synchronization signal of image datafrom the display apparatus through a communication between the interface273-1 and the display apparatus.

The image data processor 274 transmits the synchronization signalreceived by the receiver 273-2 to a shutter glass driver 276-1 tocontrol the behavior of the shutter glass driver 276-1. In other words,the image data processor 274, based on the synchronization signal,controls the shutter glass driver 276-1 to generate a driving signal fordriving the first shutter glass 276-2 and the second shutter glass276-3.

The shutter glass 276 includes the shutter glass driver 276-1, the firstshutter glass 276-2, and the second shutter glass 276-3.

The shutter glass driver 276-1 generates a driving signal based on thesynchronization signal received from the image data processor 274.Especially, the shutter glass driver 276-1, based on the synchronizationsignal, can open the first shutter glass 276-2 and the second shutterglass 276-3 according to a display timing of one of the plurality ofcontents being displayed on the display apparatus 100, as illustrated inFIG. 1.

The first shutter glass 276-2 and the second shutter glass 276-3 can beturned on/off based on the driving signal which is received from theshutter glass driver 276-1. Specifically, the first shutter glass 276-2and the second shutter glass 276-3 at the same time open the shutterglasses when one of the plurality of contents is displayed thereon, andturn off all the shutter glasses when the other contents are displayed.Therefore, the user wearing the glasses apparatus 200 can watch only asingle content.

On the other hand, in a case of three-dimensional contents, the firstshutter glass 276-2 and the second shutter glass 276-3 can alternatelyopen and close. In other words, based on the driving signal, the firstshutter glass 276-2 can be opened at a time when a left eye imageconfiguring a 3D content is displayed, and the second shutter glass276-3 can be opened at a timing when a right eye image thereof isdisplayed.

The power provider 278 supplies electric power to the glasses apparatus200, and can be disposed inside (or built into) the glasses apparatus200 as a separate battery. The battery can be provided in the form of arechargeable type or a replaceable type. Also, the glasses apparatus 200may include connectors such as a USB port, etc. for recharging the powerprovider 278 from an external power source.

The audio module 280 includes the audio data receiver 282, the buffer283, the controller 284, an audio outputter 285, and an audio dataprocessor 286. As described above, by way of an example, the audio datareceiver 282, the buffer 283, and the controller 284 may not be includedin the audio module 280.

The audio data receiver 282 may receive an audio data corresponding tothe plurality of contents from the display apparatus which works in themulti-view mode to combine and output the plurality of contents.

The audio data receiver 282 may include an interface 282-1 and areceiver 282-2. The interface 282-1 performs communication with thedisplay apparatus. The interface 282-1 may be implemented in form of anRF communication module. In this case, the interface 282-1 may include atuner. The receiver 282-2 may include a demodulator, an equalizer, andetc. to process RF signals received through the interface 282-1. Theinterface 282-1 of the audio data receiver 282 may be implemented inform of a blue-tooth communication module. In this case, the interface282-1 can receive the synchronization signal of the audio data throughblue-tooth communication with the display apparatus. In addition to thebluetooth communication method, the interface 282-1 can usecommunication methods such as zigbee communication, infraredcommunication, etc. Further, the interface 282-1 can communicate withthe display apparatus by a variety of wireless communication methodswhich form a communication channel at a close range and can send andreceive a signal. Also, the interface 282-1 can communicate with thedisplay apparatus by a wire communication method. On the other hand, theinterface 282-1 can be formed integrally with the interface 273-1 of theimage data receiver 273.

The receiver 282-2 receives various signals from the display apparatusif the interface 282-1 is connected to the display apparatus.Specifically, the receiver 282-2 may receive signals including an audiodata.

As described above, the audio data receiver 282 may receive an audiosignal corresponding to at least one content from among the plurality ofcontents according to an exemplary embodiment.

The buffer 283 temporarily stores the audio signal received by the audiodata receiver 282.

The controller 284 selectively provides the audio signal stored in thebuffer 283 to a processor to process audio data, which is then providedto an audio outputter 285. Although FIG. 2 illustrates the audio signalbeing provided to the audio outputter 285 through the controller 284, anactual data may be directly provided to the audio outputter 285 withoutthe controller 284 and/or the processor or may be provided to the audiooutputter 285 through a separate data bus.

The audio outputter 285 includes an audio data processor 286 and anoutputter 287.

The audio data processor 286 processes the received audio data andgenerates an audio sound. Specifically, the audio data processor 286 mayperform an audio signal processing such as audio decoding, noisefiltering, and amplification.

The outputter 287 is an element that outputs the audio sound generatedby the audio data processor 286. The outputter 287 may include first andsecond drivers 288-1 and 289-1 and first and second outputters 288-2 and289-2. The first driver 288-1 can drive the first outputter 288-2, andthe second driver 289-1 can drive the second outputter 289-2.

The first and second outputters 288-2 and 289-2 correspond to both earsof the user, respectively. For example, the first outputter 288-2outputs the audio sound to the user's left ear, and the second outputter289-2 outputs the audio sound to the user's right ear or vice versa.

Exemplary operations of transmitting and receiving the audio data and adetailed operations of an exemplary process will be explained in detailbelow according to an exemplary embodiment.

In addition, the glasses apparatus 200 according to an exemplaryembodiment may include a controller although not illustrated, and thecontroller may control the overall behaviors of the glasses apparatus200.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a glassesapparatus according to a first exemplary embodiment. FIG. 4 is a viewschematically illustrating a glasses apparatus according to a firstexemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the glasses apparatus 200 includes first andsecond glasses 222 and 224, a glasses frame 210, and the above-describedexemplary audio module 280 (see FIG. 2, not shown in FIGS. 3 and 4).

The first and second glasses 222 and 224 are driven according tosynchronization signals, and transmit light corresponding to a videoimage of a selected content among the plurality of contents toward theuser's eyes. The first and second glasses 222 and 224 are turned on andturned off simultaneously. Accordingly, the user can watch the videoimage of the selected content through the first and second glasses 222and 224. In an exemplary embodiment, the first and second glasses 222and 224 are illustrated in a substantially rectangular shape; however,they can have a different shape such as a circle, an oval, a triangle, astar, and etc.

The glasses frame 210 forms an overall appearance of the glassesapparatus 200 and is similar to a shape of a general rim of a pair ofglasses.

The glasses frame 210 includes a glass mounting portion 220 and awearing portion 230.

On the glass mounting portion 220 are mounted the first and secondglasses 222 and 224, as described above by way of an example.

The wearing portion 230 includes a band portion 240, a first holdingportion 250, and a second holding portion 260.

The band portion 240 has a substantially semi-circular ring shape towrap around a head of the user when he or she is wearing it, and isconnected to the glass mounting portion 220 on a bottom side of thefront side thereof.

The first holding portion 250 is connected to a first end of the bandportion 240, and the second holding portion 260 is connected to a secondend of the band portion 240. So the first and second holding portions250 and 260 support the side and rear of the user's head when wearingthe glasses apparatus 200.

The first holding portion 250 includes a first body 252 connected to thefirst end of the band portion 240 and a first sound-emitting portion 254which is mounted to the first body 252 and has a first sound-emittinghole 233.

The second holding portion 260 includes a second body 262 connected tothe second end of the band portion 240 and a second sound-emittingportion 264 which is mounted to the second body 262 and has a secondsound-emitting hole 235.

Each of the first and second sound-emitting portions 254 and 264 isformed integrally with each of the first and second bodies 252 and 262,respectively. However, as alternative exemplary embodiments, each of thefirst and second sound-emitting portions 254 and 264 may be formedseparately from each of the first and second bodies 252 and 262.

Each of the first and second sound-emitting portions 254 and 264 isformed to project downward from each of the first and second bodies 252and 262, respectively, and to be inclined in an outward direction fromthe glasses apparatus 200. Accordingly, when the user wears the glassesapparatus 200, the first and second sound-emitting portions 254 and 264can mainly send the audio sound toward the user's auricles through thefirst and second sound-emitting holes 233 and 235, respectively.

When wearing the glasses apparatus 200, the first and secondsound-emitting portions 254 and 264 are arranged at positionscorresponding to the user's both ears. Therefore, the user can hear theaudio sound of the selected content emitted through the first and secondsound-emitting holes 233 and 235 of the first and second sound-emittingportions 254 and 264.

The audio module 280 (see FIG. 2) includes the audio data receiver 282,the buffer 283, the controller 284, and the audio outputter 285, exampleof which is described above.

The audio module 280 is formed integrally with the glasses frame 210 ofthe glasses apparatus 200. In detail, the audio module 280 is installedentirely inside (or built in) the glasses frame 210 of the glassesapparatus 200. In other words, the audio data receiver 282, the buffer283, the controller 284, and the audio outputter 285 constituting theaudio module 280 are disposed inside or built into the glasses frame210.

In an exemplary embodiment, the first outputter 288-2 of the outputter287 is installed within (or built in) the first sound-emitting portion254, the second outputter 289-2 of the outputter 287 is installed within(or built in) the second sound-emitting portion 264, and the audio datareceiver 282, the buffer 283, the controller 284, and the audiooutputter 285 may be installed within (or built in) one of the first andsecond bodies 252 and 262. Alternatively, the audio data receiver 282,the buffer 283, the controller 284, and the audio outputter 285 may bedisposed within each of the first and second sound-emitting portions 254and 264.

Hereinafter, a glasses apparatus according to a second exemplaryembodiment will be described.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a glassesapparatus according to a second exemplary embodiment. FIG. 6 is a viewschematically illustrating a glasses apparatus according to a secondembodiment. FIG. 7 is a view schematically illustrating motion of aglasses apparatus according to a second exemplary embodiment.

The glasses apparatus 300 according to a second exemplary embodiment issomewhat similar to the glasses apparatus 200 according to theabove-described exemplary embodiment. Therefore, somewhat similarconfigurations are not repeatedly explained and difference thereof willbe mainly explained.

The glasses apparatus 300 according to an exemplary embodiment includesfirst and second glasses 322 and 324, a glasses frame 310, and theabove-described audio module 280 (see FIG. 2).

Exemplary configuration and operations of the first and second glasses322 and 324 are analogous as in the above-described exemplaryembodiments, and thus an analogous explanation is omitted to avoidredundancy.

The glasses frame 310 includes a glass mounting portion 320 and awearing portion 330.

The wearing portion 330 includes a band portion 340 connected with theglass mounting portion 320, a first holding portion 350 connected with afirst end of the band portion 340, and a second holding portion 360connected with a second end of the band portion 340.

The first holding portion 350 includes a first body 352 and a firstsound-emitting portion 354. The second holding portion 360 includes asecond body 362 and a second sound-emitting portion 364.

The first and second sound-emitting portions 354 and 364 include firstand second sound-emitting holes 333 and 335, respectively.

The first and second sound-emitting portions 354 and 364 are rotatablymounted onto the first and second bodies 352 and 362, respectively. Arotation direction of each of the first and second sound-emittingportions 354 and 364 is parallel to a side surface of the user's headwhen the user wears the glasses apparatus 300. A side of an upperportion of each of the first and second sound-emitting portions 354 and364 is connected to each of the first and second bodies 352 and 362,respectively, with a rotatable structure with respect to each of thefirst and second bodies 352 and 362, for example, a hinge structure sothat each of the first and second sound-emitting portions 354 and 364can rotate with respect to each of the first and second bodies 352 and362.

The glasses apparatus 300 according to an exemplary embodiment, asillustrated in FIG. 7, has the second sound-emitting portion 364 whichcan be rotated in arrow direction. Accordingly, when wearing the glassesapparatus 300 according to an exemplary embodiment, the user can adjustthe position of the second sound-emitting portion 364 based on aposition of his or her ear so that the audio sound is clearly audible.Although not illustrated in the drawings, the position of the firstsound-emitting portion 354 can also be adjusted by rotation in somewhatanalogous manner to what is shown with respect to the secondsound-emitting portion 364 in FIG. 7.

In a second exemplary embodiment, the first and second sound-emittingportions 354 and 364 may be formed to have a length longer than those ofthe first and second sound-emitting portions 254 and 264 of the firstexemplary embodiment. The length of the first and second sound-emittingportions 354 and 364 is sufficient so that when the glasses apparatus300 is worn, the first and second sound-emitting holes 333 and 335 arearranged at positions corresponding to the user's ear holes.

The audio module 280 (see FIG. 2) includes the audio data receiver 282,the buffer 283, the controller 284, and the audio outputter 285,analogous to the ones described above with reference to FIG. 2.

The audio module 280 is disposed integrally with the glasses frame 310of the glasses apparatus 300. More specifically, the audio module 280 isinstalled entirely inside (or built in) the glasses frame 310 of theglasses apparatus 300. In other words, all the audio data receiver 282,the buffer 283, the controller 284, and the audio outputter 285 formingthe exemplary audio module 280 are disposed inside (built in) theglasses frame 310.

In an exemplary embodiment, the first outputter 288-2 of the outputter287 is installed within the first sound-emitting portion 354, the secondoutputter 289-2 of the outputter 287 is installed within the secondsound-emitting portion 364, and the audio output receiver 282, thebuffer 283, the controller 284, and the audio outputter 285 may beinstalled within or built in one of the first and second bodies 352 and362. Alternatively, in an exemplary embodiment, the audio data receiver282, the buffer 283, the controller 284, and the audio outputter 285 maybe disposed within each of the first and second sound-emitting portions354 and 364.

If the user wears the glasses apparatus 300 according to an exemplaryembodiment, the first and second sound-emitting holes 333 and 335thereof are arranged adjacent to the user's ear holes. Therefore, whenmultiple users watch multi-view from the display apparatus, each of themultiple users is undisturbed by the audio sounds emitted from the otherusers' contents and can instead clearly hear the audio sound of thecontent which he or she is watching without interference from the audiosounds emitted by the contents of other users.

Hereinafter, a glasses apparatus according to a third exemplaryembodiment will be explained.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a glassesapparatus according to a third exemplary embodiment. FIGS. 9 to 12 areviews schematically illustrating a motion of a glasses apparatusaccording to a third exemplary embodiment.

The glasses apparatus 400 according to a third exemplary embodiment issomewhat similar to the glasses apparatus 200 according to theabove-described exemplary first embodiment. Therefore, somewhat similarconfigurations are not repeatedly explained to avoid redundancy.Instead, difference thereof will be mainly explained.

The glasses apparatus 400 includes first and second glasses 422 and 424,a glasses frame 410, and the above-described audio module 280 (see FIG.2).

Configuration and operation of the first and second glasses 422 and 424are somewhat analogous to operations of the first and second glasses 422and 424 described above in exemplary embodiments, and thus an overlappedexplanation is omitted to avoid redundancy.

The glasses frame 410 includes a glass mounting portion 420 and awearing portion 430.

The above-described first and second glasses 422 and 424 are mountedonto the glass mounting portion 420 according to an exemplaryembodiment.

The wearing portion 430 includes a band portion 440, a first holdingportion 450, and a second holding portion 460.

The band portion 440 has a substantially semi-circular ring shape towrap around the user's head when he or she is wearing it, and isconnected to the glass mounting portion 420 on a bottom side of thefront side thereof.

The first holding portion 450 includes a first body 452 connected to afirst end of the band portion 440, a first connecting link 454 mountedonto the first body 452, and a first inserting member 456 which isdisposed on the first connecting link 454 and has a first sound-emittinghole 433.

The second holding portion 460 includes a second body 462 connected to asecond end of the band portion 440, a second connecting link 464 mountedonto the second body 462, and a second inserting member 466 which isdisposed on the second connecting link 464 and has a secondsound-emitting hole 435.

The first and second connecting links 454 and 464 are rotatably disposedon the first and second bodies 452 and 462, respectively. A direction ofrotation of each of the first and second connecting links 454 and 464may be parallel to a side surface of the user's head when the user wearsthe glasses apparatus 400.

The first and second inserting members 456 and 466 are disposedrotatably with respect to the first and second connecting links 454 and464, respectively. Here, a rotation axis of the first connecting link454 and a rotation axis of the first inserting member 456 are orthogonalto each other, and a rotation axis of the second connecting link 464 anda rotation axis of the second inserting member 466 are orthogonal toeach other. In other words, a rotation direction of each of the firstand second inserting members 456 and 466 is parallel to the front andrear surfaces of the user's head when the user wears the glassesapparatus 400.

The first and second inserting members 456 and 466 are mounted slidablywith respect to the first and second connecting links 454 and 464,respectively. A sliding direction of each of the first and secondinserting members 456 and 466 is parallel to the rotation axes of thefirst and second inserting members 456 and 466. Each of the first andsecond inserting members 456 and 466 can be slid by a sliding member 468as illustrated in FIG. 12.

As illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, the second inserting member 466 of theglasses apparatus 400 can be rotated toward the ear hole of the user.FIG. 10 illustrates the second inserting member 466 rotated toward theuser's ear hole. FIG. 11 illustrates rotation of the second connectinglink 464. The second connecting link 464 can be rotated in an arrowdirection. FIG. 12 illustrates a sliding motion of the second insertingmember 466. The second inserting member 466 can be slid in an arrowdirection by the sliding member 468. The user can position the first andsecond inserting members 456 and 466 where he or she wants by rotatingand sliding motions of the above-described components and can thuslisten to the audio sound clearly. The rotation and sliding motionsthereof may be randomly performed depending on the user's needs. Also,the manipulation order thereof may be done randomly depending on theuser's needs.

The first and second inserting members 456 and 466 are inserted into theuser's ear holes when the glasses apparatus 400 is worn. This issomewhat similar to listening to audio sounds by using earphones, etc.Therefore, with the glasses apparatus 400 according to a third exemplaryembodiment, the user is undisturbed by the other users who may also belistening to different contents and can clearly hear the audio soundemitted from the glasses apparatus 400. Also it is less likely that theaudio sound of the user interferes and/or disturbs other users.

The audio module 280 (see FIG. 2) includes the audio data receiver 282,the buffer 283, the controller 284, and the audio outputter 285, asdescribed above, by way of an example.

The audio module 280 is formed integrally with the glasses frame 410 ofthe glasses apparatus 400. More specifically, the audio module 280 isinstalled entirely inside (or built in) the glasses frame 410 of theglasses apparatus 400. In other words, the audio data receiver 282, thebuffer 283, the controller 284, and the audio outputter 285, exemplaryelements of the audio module 280 are disposed inside or built into theglasses frame 410.

In the third exemplary embodiment, the first outputter 288-2 of theoutputter 287 is installed inside the first connecting link 454, thesecond outputter 289-2 of the outputter 287 is installed inside thesecond connecting link 464, and the audio data receiver 282, the buffer283, the controller 284, and the audio outputter 285 may be installedinside one of the first and second bodies 452 and 462. Alternatively,the audio data receiver 282, the buffer 283, the controller 284, and theaudio outputter 285 may be disposed within each of the first and secondconnecting links 454 and 464.

Hereinafter, a glasses apparatus according to a fourth exemplaryembodiment will be explained.

FIG. 13 is a view schematically illustrating a glasses apparatusaccording to a fourth exemplary embodiment. FIG. 14 is a viewschematically illustrating a motion of a glasses apparatus according toa fourth exemplary embodiment.

The glasses apparatus 500 according to a fourth exemplary embodiment issimilar to the glasses apparatus 200 according to the above-describedexemplary embodiment. Therefore, analogous configurations are notrepeatedly explained and only differences thereof will be mainlyexplained.

FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate only one side surface of the glassesapparatus 500. The opposite side surface which is not illustrated in thedrawings is formed in a shape corresponding to the side surfaceillustrated in the drawings in the above-described exemplaryembodiments.

Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, the glasses apparatus 500 according to thefourth exemplary embodiment includes first and second glasses, a glassesframe 510, and the above-described audio module 280 (see FIG. 2).

Exemplary configuration and operations of the first and second glassesare somewhat similar to the ones described in the above-describedexemplary embodiments, and thus redundant explanation is omitted.

The glasses frame 510 includes a glass mounting portion 520 and awearing portion 530.

The wearing portion 530 includes a band portion 540, first and secondholding portions 560.

The first and second holding portions 560 are mounted slidably withrespect to the band portion 540. The user can adjust a position of theglasses apparatus 500 by sliding the first and second holding portions560.

The first and second holding portions 560 include first and secondsound-emitting portions 564, and first and second inserting members 566.

The first and second inserting members 566 are disposed on the bottomside of the first and second sound-emitting portions 564, and are formedto project in a direction in which they are directly inserted into theuser's ear holes when the glasses apparatus 500 is worn.

With the glasses apparatus 500 according to the fourth exemplaryembodiment, when the user wear the glasses apparatus 500, the glassmounting portion 520 is fixed to the ridge of the nose of the user, andthe first and second inserting members 566 are inserted into the user'sear holes. In other words, the glasses apparatus 500 according to thefourth exemplary embodiment is formed in a form similar to astethoscope.

The audio module 280 (see FIG. 2) includes the audio data receiver 282,the buffer 283, the controller 284, and the audio outputter 285,somewhat analogous to the ones described above with reference to otherexemplary embodiments.

The audio module 280 is formed integrally with the glasses frame 510 ofthe glasses apparatus 500. More specifically, the audio module 280 isinstalled entirely inside (or built in) the glasses frame 510 of theglasses apparatus 500. In other words, all the audio data receiver 282,the buffer 283, the controller 284, and the audio outputter 285,exemplary elements of the audio module 280 are disposed inside (or builtinto) the glasses frame 510.

In the fourth exemplary embodiment, each of the first outputter 288-2and second outputter 289-2 of the outputter 287 is installed inside eachof the first and second sound-emitting portions 564, and the audio datareceiver 282, the buffer 283, the controller 284, and the audiooutputter 285 may be installed inside each of the first and secondsound-emitting portions 564.

Hereinafter, an audio output apparatus according to an exemplaryembodiment and a glasses apparatus onto which the audio output apparatusis mounted will be explained.

Configurations somewhat similar to the ones described above in exemplaryembodiments are not repeatedly explained to avoid redundancy andinstead, mainly differences thereof are explained below.

FIG. 15 is a view schematically illustrating an audio output apparatusaccording to an exemplary embodiment, and FIG. 16 is a viewschematically illustrating an audio output apparatus according toanother exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 15, the audio output apparatus 700 according to anexemplary embodiment includes the audio module 280 as illustrated inFIG. 2 therein. In other words, the audio output apparatus 700 mayinclude the audio data receiver 282 which receives an audio data of oneamong the plurality of contents from the display apparatus which worksin the multi-view mode to combine and output the plurality of contents,the controller 284 and the audio processor 286 which process the audiodata to generate an audio sound, and the outputter 287 which outputs theaudio sound.

The audio output apparatus 700 includes a connecting portion 710 whichcan be detachably mounted to a glasses apparatus 600 which works inconjunction with the display apparatus to support a multi-view mode.

The connecting portion 710 may be formed in a plurality of protrudingribs.

The glasses apparatus 600 includes a mounting portion 610 to which theconnecting portion 710 is coupled for mounting the audio outputapparatus 700 to the glasses apparatus 600.

The mounting portion 610 may be formed in a plurality of groovescorresponding to the rib shape so that the connecting portion 710 can beinserted into the mounting portion 610.

The glasses apparatus 600 may have two mounting portions 610 provided atpositions corresponding to the ears of the user when the glassesapparatus 600 is worn so that two audio output apparatuses 700 can bemounted to the single glasses apparatus 600. Alternatively, one or morethan two mounting portions 610 may be provided on the glasses apparatus600 so that one or more than two audio output apparatuses 700 can bemounted thereon.

If the connecting portion 710 is inserted into the mounting portion 610of the glasses apparatus 600, the audio output apparatus 700 is mountedonto the glasses apparatus 600, and can be detached from the glassesapparatus 600 depending on the user's needs.

Referring to FIG. 16, an audio output apparatus 900 according to anotherexemplary embodiment may have a connecting portion 910 formed in a ringshape.

In this case, when the audio output apparatus 900 is mounted to theglasses apparatus 800, the connecting portion 910 is slid onto theglasses apparatus 800 and is mounted in the form of wrapping the glassesapparatus 800. The audio output apparatus 900 can be separated from theglasses apparatus 800.

However, this does not limit the connecting portion 910 of the audiooutput apparatus 900 according to an exemplary embodiment. Theconnecting portion 910 may be formed in various shapes as long as it candetachably mount the audio output apparatus 900 onto the glassesapparatus 800. Accordingly, in an exemplary embodiment, other shapes andconfigurations may be readily apparent.

Programs to perform methods according to various exemplary embodimentsmay be stored on various types of recording media and may be usedtherefrom.

Specifically, codes for performing the above-described methods may bestored on various types of recording media which a terminal can readsuch as a random access memory (RAM), a flash memory, a read only memory(ROM), an erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), anelectronically erasable and programmable read only memory (EEPROM), aregister, a hard disk, a removable disk, a memory card, a USB memory, aCD-Rom, etc.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a glassesapparatus according to a fifth exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 17, the glasses apparatus 1000 includes a first glass1010, a second glass 1020, a glasses frame 1100, and the above-describedexemplary audio module 280 (see FIG. 2).

The glasses frame 1100 includes a glass mounting portion 1200, a nosepad 1300, and a wearing portion 1500.

The glass mounting portion 1200 is somewhat similar to the glassmounting portion 220 of the first exemplary embodiment as describedabove; therefore, in the fifth exemplary embodiment, a detaildescription thereof is omitted to avoid redundancy.

The nose pad 1300 is disposed on a rear surface of the glass mountingportion 1200. When the glasses apparatus 1000 is worn, the nose pad 1300is supported by opposite sides of the user's nose and prevents theglasses apparatus 1000 from sliding down his or her nose.

The wearing portion 1500 includes a band portion 1600, a first body1700, a first sound-emitting portion 1800, a second body 1900, and asecond sound-emitting portion 2000.

The band portion 1600 is somewhat similar to the band portion 240 of thefirst exemplary embodiment described above; therefore, in the fifthexemplary embodiment, a detail description thereof is omitted to avoidredundancy.

The first body 1700 is connected to a first end of the band portion1600. The audio data receiver 282, the buffer 283, the controller 284,and the audio outputter 285 of the audio module 280 (see FIG. 2) similarto the ones described above may be installed inside (or built in) thefirst body 1700. These exemplary elements may be installed inside one ofthe first body 1700 and the second body 1900. In addition, theseexemplary elements may be separately installed inside each of the firstbody 1700 and the second body 1900.

The first body 1700 includes a first receiving groove 1760 and a volumeadjusting portion 1780.

The first receiving groove 1760 is formed to have a groove shapecorresponding to the shape of the first sound-emitting portion 1800 sothat the first sound-emitting portion 1800 can be inserted into thefirst receiving groove 1760.

The first sound-emitting portion 1800 is connected to the first body1700 through a first wire W1. The first sound-emitting portion 1800includes the first outputter 288-2 of the audio module 280 (see FIG. 2)as described above. And the first sound-emitting portion 1800 includes afirst sound-emitting hole 1810 to send the audio sound to the user andhas an earphone shape to be inserted into the ear of the user.

The volume adjusting portion 1780 adjusts a volume of the audio sound ofthe glasses apparatus 1000; therefore, the user can listen to the audiosound with a desired volume by operating the volume adjusting portion1780. The volume adjusting portion 1780 may be formed in the form of abutton. The button may be formed so that one end of the button raisesthe volume and the other end of the button drops the volume. This isonly one example; therefore, the volume adjusting portion 1780 may havetwo or more buttons, or may be formed in different shapes capable ofadjusting the volume other than the button.

The second body 1900 is connected to a second end of the band portion1600. As described above, the audio data receiver 282, the buffer 283,the controller 284, and the audio outputter 285 may be installed inside(or built in) the second body 1900. As an alternative exemplaryembodiment, one of these elements may be installed inside the secondbody 1900.

The second body 1900 includes a second receiving groove 1960, apower/pairing portion 1980, and a channel changing portion 1990.

The second receiving groove 1960 is formed to have a groove shapecorresponding to the shape of the second sound-emitting portion 2000 sothat the second sound-emitting portion 2000 can be inserted into thesecond receiving groove 1960.

The second sound-emitting portion 2000 is connected to the second body1900 using a second wire W2. The second sound-emitting portion 2000includes the second outputter 289-2 of the audio module 280 (see FIG. 2)as described above by way of an example. The second sound-emittingportion 2000 includes a second sound-emitting hole 2010 to send theaudio sound to the user and has an earphone shape to be inserted intothe ear of the user.

The power/pairing portion 1980 is to turn on or off a power of theglasses apparatus 1000 and to perform pairing with the displayapparatus. By operation of the power/pairing portion 1980, the user canturns on/off the power of the glasses apparatus 1000 and can performpairing connection between the glasses apparatus 1000 and the displayapparatus according to an exemplary embodiment.

The channel changing portion 1990 is to change content in a multi-viewmode. When the user watches a specific content in the multi-view mode,the user operates the channel changing portion 1990 of the glassesapparatus 1000 and changes the specific content for another content ofthe multi-view mode. In an exemplary embodiment, the channel changingportion 1990 may be formed to move along the lengthwise direction of thesecond body 1900 for content changing operation. However, this is onlyone example and is not limiting, and the channel changing portion 1990may be formed in various ways and types, for example, a button, a togglebutton, etc., as long as this portion can change content.

In an exemplary embodiment, the volume adjusting portion 1780 isdisposed in the first body 1700, and the power/pairing portion 1980 andthe channel changing portion 1990 are disposed in the second body 1900.However, exemplary embodiment is not limited thereto. The volumeadjusting portion 1780 may be disposed in the second body 1900, and thepower/pairing portion 1980 and the channel changing portion 1990 may bedisposed inside the first body 1700. Alternatively, by way of anotherexample, the power/pairing portion 1980 and the channel changing portion1990 may be separated and disposed in each of the first and secondbodies 1700 and 1900. In other words, it is sufficient for the volumeadjusting portion 1780, the power/pairing portion 1980, and the channelchanging portion 1990 to be provided somewhere on the glasses apparatus1000. Also, although not illustrated, the glasses apparatus 1000 mayhave other buttons to control action of the glasses apparatus 1000,other than buttons as described above. In other words, exemplaryconfiguration of the buttons shown in FIG. 17 is provided by way of anexample only and not by way of a limitation.

FIGS. 18 and 19 are views schematically illustrating a glasses apparatuswhen it is used and when it is not used, respectively, according to afifth exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 18, when using the glasses apparatus 1000, the userwears the first sound-emitting portion 1800 and the secondsound-emitting portion 2000 in his or her ears, and listens to the audiosound. A wearing position of each of the first sound-emitting portion1800 and the second sound-emitting portion 2000 can be properly adjustedbased on the user by using the first and second wires W1 and W2.

On the other hand, the first sound-emitting portion 1800 is providedwith a first wire connecting portion 1850 to which the first wire W1 isconnected. The second sound-emitting portion 2000 is provided with asecond wire connecting portion 2050 to which the second wire W2 isconnected. The first receiving groove 1760 is provided with a first wireconnecting portion insert groove 1762 into which the first wireconnecting portion 1850 is inserted. The second receiving groove 1960 isprovided with a second wire connecting portion insert groove 1962 intowhich the second wire connecting portion 2050 is inserted.

Referring to FIG. 19, when the glasses apparatus 1000 is not used, theuser inserts the first sound-emitting portion 1800 into the firstreceiving groove 1760 of the first body 1700 and inserts the secondsound-emitting portion 2000 into the second receiving groove 1960 of thesecond body 1900 according to an exemplary embodiment. At this time, thefirst wire connecting portion 1850 of the first sound-emitting portion1800 is inserted into the first wire connecting portion insert groove1762 of the first receiving groove 1760. The second wire connectingportion 2050 of the second sound-emitting portion 2000 is inserted inthe second wire connecting portion insert groove 1962 of the secondreceiving groove 1960.

Eventually, the glasses apparatus 1000 according to an exemplaryembodiment is formed so that when the glasses apparatus 1000 is notused, the first and second sound-emitting portions 1800 and 2000 areinserted and kept in the first and second receiving grooves 1760 and1960 formed on the first and second bodies 1700 and 1900. In anexemplary embodiment, when the glasses apparatus 1000 is not used, theglasses apparatus 1000 can be neatly kept by the above-describedexemplary method. Also, in an exemplary embodiment, when the glassesapparatus 1000 is not used, the glasses apparatus 1000 can be protectedfrom breaking and damage such that the first and second sound-emittingportions 1800 and 2000 are separated from the first and second bodies1700 and 1900 due to carelessness.

As described above, the display apparatus works in a mode selected fromthe general mode and the multi-view mode. The general mode is a mode inwhich a single content is reproduced and the multi-view mode is a modein which a plurality of contents are simultaneously reproduced. In thegeneral mode, the display apparatus outputs the audio signal of thecontent through a speaker provided on the body of the display apparatus.However, in the multi-view mode, the display apparatus has difficultyusing the body speaker since the plurality of contents are reproduced.Therefore, in the multi-view mode, the audio signal of each of theplurality of contents is provided to each glasses apparatus so that theaudio signal is output using an audio outputting module provided on eachglasses apparatus. In an exemplary embodiment, audio outputting meanswhich corresponds to the sound emitting portions described above isprovided. A method of transmitting the audio signal may be implementedin various ways according to exemplary embodiments. Hereinafter,configuration and operation of a display apparatus and a glassesapparatus for processing an audio signal will be explained in detailaccording to exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 20 is a block diagram illustrating a display apparatus according toan exemplary embodiment. Referring to FIG. 20, a display apparatus 2000includes a first receiver 2100, a first signal processor 2200, acontroller 2300, a second receiver 2400, a second signal processor 2500,a display 2600, a speaker 2700, a first communicator 2800, a packetizer2950, and a second communicator 2900.

The first receiver 2100 and the second receiver 2400 receive differentcontents from various sources. For example, at least one of the firstreceiver 2100 and the second receiver 2400 may be implemented in form ofa tuner to receive a broadcast content transmitted through a broadcastnetwork, or may be implemented in form of an interface to receive acontent read out from a storage medium which is built in or connected tothe display apparatus. In addition, at least one of the first receiver2100 and the second receiver 2400 may include a network interface cardto stream or download content from a server apparatus through an IPcommunication network.

Even if a broadcast signal is received, the configuration of thereceivers may be diversely designed according to a broadcastingstandard. The broadcasting standard includes advanced television systemcommittee (ATSC), digital video broadcasting (DVB), and integratedservices digital broadcasting-terrestrial (ISDB-T) methods. Theconfiguration and operation of the first and second receivers 2100 and2400 may be different according to the above broadcasting standard. Forexample, if the ATSC standard is employed, the first and secondreceivers 2100 and 2400 may include an antenna, an RF down converter, ademodulator, an equalizer, a de-multiplexer, an RS decoder, ade-interleaver, and etc. Since the detailed configuration fortransmitting and receiving signals according to each broadcastingstandard is described in the standard document of each broadcastingstandard, detailed illustration and explanation are omitted to avoidredundancy.

If a multi-view mode is executed, the controller 2300 activates thefirst receiver 2100 and the second receiver 2400 and controls them toeach receive a broadcast signal, respectively.

A broadcast signal received by the first receiver 2100, that is, a firstcontent is provided to the first signal processor 2200. The first signalprocessor 2200 includes a first de-multiplexer 2210, a first videoprocessor 2220, and a first audio processor 2230. The firstde-multiplexer 2210 de-multiplexes the first content which is receivedthrough the first receiver 2100 and outputs a video data and an audiodata. The video data is provided to the first video processor 2220. Thefirst video processor 2220 performs various video signal processing suchas decoding, de-interleaving, scaling, and frame rate conversion withrespect to the video data, and generates a video frame. The first audioprocessor 2230 performs various audio signal processing such as audiodecoding, noise filtering, and amplification with respect to the audiodata output from the first de-multiplexer 2210.

A broadcast signal received by the second receiver 2400, that is, asecond content is provided to the second signal processor 2500. Thesecond signal processor 2500 includes a second de-multiplexer 2510, asecond video processor 2520, and a second audio processor 2530. Thesecond de-multiplexer 2510 de-multiplexes the second content, andprovides a video data to the second video processor 2520 and provides anaudio data to the second audio processor 2530. Accordingly, a videoframe and an audio signal for the second content may be generated.

In the multi-view mode, the display 2600 alternately displays the videoframe of the first content and the video frame of the second content ona basis of at least one frame.

The controller 2300 generates a synchronization signal to synchronize adisplay timing of the video frame of the first content and a displaytiming of the video frame of the second content with an operation ofeach glasses apparatus, and transmits the synchronization signal throughthe first communicator 2800. The first communicator 2800 may performcommunication according to various communication standards as describedabove. For example, the first communicator 2800 may transmit thesynchronization signal in the Bluetooth method.

In the multi-view mode, the controller 2300 controls the first audioprocessor 2230 and the second audio processor 2530 to provide the audiosignals of the first and second contents to the packetizer 2950

The packetizer 2950 mixes the audio signals of each content andgenerates a communication packet. The second communicator 2900 transmitsthe communication packet generated by the packetizer 2950 through apredetermined frequency band. The frequency band may be selected fromamong a plurality of candidate bands. For example, if one of thefrequency bands such as 2.4 GHz, 5.2 GHz, and 5.5 GHz is arbitrarilyselected and is available, the communication packet may be transmittedthrough the selected frequency band.

FIG. 21 is a view illustrating a structure of a packet generated by thepacketizer 2950 according to an exemplary embodiment. Referring to FIG.21, the audio signal of the first content and the audio signal of thesecond content may be recorded on a payload region in a single packet.

The second communicator 2900 may perform communication according to acommunication standard which is different from that of the firstcommunicator 2800 according to an exemplary embodiment. For example, thesecond communicator 2900 may be implemented in form of an RFcommunication module. In this case, the second communicator 2900modulates the packet generated by the packetizer 2950 into an RF signal,and transmits the RF signal.

On the other hand, in the general mode, the controller 2300 may activateonly one of the first receiver 2100 and the second receiver 2400 and mayreceive a broadcast signal. If the first receiver 2100 is activated, thevideo data of the first content is processed by the first signalprocessor 2200 and is provided to the display 2600, and the audio dataof the first content is provided to the speaker 2700. The controller2300 may output the audio signal by selectively activating the speaker2700 or the packetizer 2950 and the second communicator 2900 accordingto a selected mode.

In the above exemplary embodiment, the audio signals of the plurality ofcontents are packetized by a single packet and are transmitted. However,the audio signal of each content may be packetized in a form of adifferent packet and may be transmitted.

That is, in the multi-view mode, the packetizer 2950 packetizes theaudio signal output from the first audio processor 2230 and the audiosignal output from the second audio processor 2530 separately, and then,alternately transmits the audio signals using the same frequency band attime intervals.

FIG. 22 is a view illustrating a packet in an exemplary embodiment inwhich an audio signal of each content is transmitted using a differentpacket. Referring to FIG. 22, a first packet 10 including the audio dataof the first content is transmitted at a time t1, and a second packet 20including the audio data of the second content is transmitted at a timet2. A transmission time difference between the two packets may be knownto the display apparatus and the glasses apparatus. If the timedifference is set to 2.5 ms, the glasses apparatus for watching thefirst content and the glasses apparatus for watching the second contentrepeatedly receive and process the audio packets at time intervals of2.5 ms.

The audio signals of the plurality of contents may be packetized bydifferent packets and then are modulated into RF signals of differentfrequency bands and may be output. That is, the second communicator 2900modulates the first packet including the audio signal of the firstcontent into an RF signal of a first frequency band, modulates thesecond packet including the audio signal of the second content into anRF signal of a second frequency band, and may output the signals withouta time difference. In this case, frequency information of each RF signalmay be included in synchronization information which is transmittedusing the first communicator 2800.

As described above, the operations of transmitting the audio signals maybe implemented in various ways according to exemplary embodiments.Accordingly, an operation of a glasses apparatus to receive the audiosignals may be different according to exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 23 is a block diagram illustrating another configuration of aglasses apparatus which receives and processes audio signals accordingto an exemplary embodiment. Referring to FIG. 23, a glasses apparatus3000 includes a first communicator 3100, a shutter glass driver 3200, afirst shutter glass 3300, a second shutter glass 3400, a controller3500, a second communicator 3600, an audio processor 3700, and an audiooutputter 3800.

The first communicator 3100 receives a synchronization signal which istransmitted from a display apparatus. A configuration and operations ofthe first communicator 3100 may be different according to acommunication standard that is employed by the display apparatus. Forexample, if the display apparatus 2000 (shown in FIG. 20) transmits asynchronization signal according to the Bluetooth standard, the firstcommunicator 3100 performs Bluetooth pairing and receives thesynchronization signal from the display apparatus.

The shutter glass driver 3200 drives the first and second shutterglasses 3300 and 3400 according to the synchronization signal. In themulti-view mode, the shutter glass driver 3200 applies a driving signalto turn on the first and second shutter glasses 3300 and 3400simultaneously according to a frame display timing of a content selectedby the glasses apparatus. On the other hand, in the 3D mode, the shutterglass driver 3200 may alternately apply the driving signal to turn onthe first shutter glass 3300 according to a display timing of a left-eyeimage frame and to turn on the second shutter glass 3400 according to adisplay timing of a right-eye image frame.

In an exemplary embodiment, the controller 3500 controls an overalloperation of the glasses apparatus 3000 according to a user selection.For example, every time that a button provided on the glasses apparatus3000 is selected, the multi-view mode and the 3D mode may be alternatelyselected. Also, if a button is selected in the multi-view mode, thecontroller 3500 may adjust driving timings of the first and secondshutter glasses 3300 and 3400 every time that the button is selected andmay change a watchable view.

The second communicator 3600 receives the audio signals which aretransmitted from the display apparatus. The second communicator 3600 maybe implemented in form of an RF communication module by way of anexample and not by way of a limitation.

As described above, the audio signal is transmitted in various methodsaccording to various exemplary embodiments. If the audio signals of theplurality of contents are packetized by a single packet and aretransmitted as in the present exemplary embodiment, the controller 3500controls the audio processor 3700 to selectively detect the audio dataof the first content or the audio data of the second content from apredetermined region in a payload region of the received packet, and toprocess the audio data. That is, if the glasses apparatus 3000 is turnedon, the controller 2500 controls the second communicator 3600 to scanthe above-described candidate bands in sequence, and determines whetherthe audio packet is received or not. If the audio packet is received,the controller 3500 identifies a packet header region and selects aregion on which the audio data of the content currently synchronizedwith the shutter glass driver 3200 is placed from the payload region.

The audio processor 3700 processes the audio data recorded on theselected region and generates a sound signal. The generated sound signalis output through the audio outputter 3800. Shape and location of theaudio outputter 3800 may be implemented in a variety of ways asdescribed above.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the audio signals of theplurality of contents may be packetized by separate packets and may betransmitted.

FIG. 24 is a view illustrating operations of a glasses apparatus inwhich audio signals are transmitted using a plurality of packetsaccording to an exemplary embodiment. In FIG. 24( a), a first packetcarrying the audio data of the first content and a second packetcarrying the audio data of the second content are alternatelytransmitted.

If the glasses apparatus is turned on, the controller 3500 performsscanning. Specifically, the second communicator 3600 may tune to theplurality of candidate bands such as 2.4 GHz, 5.2 GHz, and 5.5 GHz insequence, and may receive signals. If the glasses apparatus 3000 issynchronized with the first content, the scanning is finished when thereception of the first packet is identified. For example, if the firstpacket and the second packet have a packet format shown in FIG. 22, thecontroller 3500 may determine whether the first packet is received ornot based on an identifier which is recorded on a header or a payloadportion of the first packet. The controller 3500 may activate the secondcommunicator 3600 at regular time intervals using a transmission timedifference between the first packet and the second packet. As describedabove, information on the transmission time difference may be shared bythe display apparatus and the glasses apparatus beforehand, and may bestored in each of the display apparatus and the glasses apparatus. Thecontroller 3500 receives the first packet at a time when the receptionof the first packet is identified and deactivates the secondcommunicator 3600 until the next first packet is received, and activatesthe second communicator 3600 at a time when the first packet is receivedagain.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the audio data of eachcontent may be transmitted as a different frequency signal. Thecontroller 3500 may identify frequency information corresponding to eachof the contents based on synchronization information received throughthe first communicator 3100. Accordingly, the controller 3500 controlsthe second communicator 3600 to tune to a frequency band correspondingto a currently synchronized content and receive a signal. As a result,the image frame and the audio data of the content which is seen throughthe first and second shutter glasses 3300 and 3400 are synchronized witheach other and are provided.

The synchronizing method and the audio signal processing methodaccording to the above-described various exemplary embodiments may becoded as software. The software may be recorded on a non-transitorycomputer readable medium and may be used in apparatuses such as displayapparatuses or glasses apparatuses.

The non-transitory computer readable medium refers to a medium thatstores data semi-permanently rather than storing data for a very shorttime, such as a register, a cache, and a memory, and is readable by anapparatus. Specifically, the above-described various programs may bestored in a non-transitory computer readable medium such as a CD, a DVD,a hard disk, a Blueray disk, a USB, a memory card, and a ROM.

While exemplary embodiments have been described, additional variationsand modifications of the exemplary embodiments may occur to thoseskilled in the art from description of exemplary embodiments. Therefore,it is intended that the appended claims shall be construed to includeboth the above exemplary embodiments and all such variations andmodifications that fall within the spirit and scope of the inventiveconcepts. It is understood that all possible changes and/ormodifications in form and details may be made therein without departingfrom the spirit and scope of an inventive concept as defined by theappended claims and their equivalents. The scope is defined not by thedetailed description of exemplary embodiments but by the appendedclaims, and their equivalents and all differences within the scope willbe construed as being included in an inventive concept.

What is claimed is:
 1. A glasses apparatus comprising: a first interfacemodule which receives a synchronization signal in a first wirelesscommunication method; a glasses frame; a first glass and a second glassmounted on the glasses frame and which are driven in synchronizationwith one of a plurality of contents output on a display apparatus basedon the synchronization signal; a second interface module which receivesaudio signals of at least one content from among the plurality ofcontents in a second wireless communication method; a controller whichselects an audio signal of said one content from among the audio signalsreceived by the second interface module; and an audio outputter whichoutputs the selected audio signal of said one content, wherein the audiooutputter is integrally formed with the glasses frame.
 2. The glassesapparatus of claim 1, wherein the audio outputter is installed insidethe glasses frame.
 3. The glasses apparatus of claim 2, wherein theaudio outputter comprises: an audio data processor which processes theselected audio signal to generate an audio sound; and an outputter whichoutputs the generated audio sound.
 4. The glasses apparatus of claim 3,wherein the glasses frame comprises: a glasses mounting portion whichholds the first glass and the second glass; and a wearing portion whichis connected to the glass mounting portion and is worn by a user.
 5. Theglasses apparatus of claim 4, wherein the outputter comprises: a firstoutputter which outputs the audio sound to a first ear of the user; anda second outputter which outputs the audio sound to the second ear ofthe user, and wherein the wearing portion comprises: a band portionconnected to the glass mounting portion; a first holding portion whichis connected to a first end of the band portion, which has a firstouputter mounted therein, and which comprises a first sound-emittinghole; and a second holding portion which is connected to a second end ofthe band portion, which has a second outputter mounted therein, andwhich comprises a second sound-emitting hole.
 6. The glasses apparatusof claim 5, wherein the audio data processor is provided inside one ofthe first and second holding portions.
 7. The glasses apparatus of claim5, wherein the first holding portion and the second holding portion areformed to slide on the band portion.
 8. The glasses apparatus of claim5, wherein the first holding portion comprises: a first body connectedto a first end of the band portion; and a first sound-emitting portionwhich is provided on the first body and comprises the firstsound-emitting hole, and wherein the second holding portion comprises: asecond body connected to a second end of the band portion; and a secondsound-emitting portion which is provided on the second body andcomprises the second sound-emitting hole.
 9. The glasses apparatus ofclaim 8, wherein the first outputter is provided inside the firstsound-emitting portion and the second outputter is provided inside thesecond sound-emitting portion.
 10. The glasses apparatus of claim 9,wherein the audio data processor is positioned inside one of the firstbody and the second body.
 11. The glasses apparatus of claim 8, whereineach of the first sound-emitting portion and the second sound-emittingportion is formed integrally with the first body and the second body,respectively.
 12. The glasses apparatus of claim 8, wherein each of thefirst sound-emitting portion and the second sound-emitting portion isrotatably provided on the first body and the second body, respectively.13. The glasses apparatus of claim 12, wherein a rotation direction ofeach of the first sound-emitting portion and the second sound-emittingportion is parallel to a side surface of a user when the user wears theglasses apparatus.
 14. The glasses apparatus of claim 5, wherein thefirst holding portion comprises: a first body connected to a first endof the band portion; a first connecting link provided on the first body;and a first inserting member which is provided on the first connectinglink and comprises the first sound-emitting hole, and wherein the secondholding portion comprises: a second body connected to a second end ofthe band portion; a second connecting link provided on the second body;and a second inserting member which is provided on the second connectinglink and comprises the second sound-emitting hole.
 15. The glassesapparatus of claim 14, wherein each of the first connecting link and thesecond connecting link is rotatable on the first body and the secondbody, respectively.
 16. The glasses apparatus of claim 15, wherein arotation direction of each of the first connecting link and the secondconnecting link is parallel to a side surface of a user when the userwears the glasses apparatus.
 17. The glasses apparatus of claim 15,wherein each of the first inserting member and the second insertingmember is rotatable on the first connecting link and the secondconnecting link, respectively.
 18. The glasses apparatus of claim 17,wherein: a rotation axis of the first connecting link and a rotationaxis of the first inserting member are orthogonal to each other, and arotation axis of the second connecting link and a rotation axis of thesecond inserting member are orthogonal to each other.
 19. The glassesapparatus of claim 17, wherein each of the first inserting member andthe second inserting member is formed to slide on the first connectinglink and the second connecting link, respectively.
 20. The glassesapparatus of claim 19, wherein a sliding direction of each of the firstinserting member and the second inserting member is parallel to therotation axis of the first inserting member and the second insertingmember, respectively.
 21. The glasses apparatus of claim 3, wherein theoutputter comprises: a first outputter which outputs the audio sound toa first ear of the user; and a second outputter which outputs the audiosound to a second ear of the user, and the glasses frame comprises: aglasses mounting portion which holds the first glass and the secondglass; a band portion connected to the glass mounting portion; a firstbody connected to a first end of the band portion; a firstsound-emitting portion which is connected to the first body using afirst wire, which comprises the first outputter mounted therein, andwhich is inserted into a first ear of the user; a second body connectedto a second end of the band portion, and a second sound-emitting portionwhich is connected to the second body using a second wire, whichcomprises the second outputter mounted therein, and which is insertedinto a second ear of the user.
 22. The glasses apparatus of claim 21,wherein the first body comprises a first receiving groove which receivesthe first sound-emitting portion, and the second body comprises a secondreceiving groove which receives the second sound-emitting portion. 23.The glasses apparatus of claim 21, wherein the audio data processor isprovided inside one of the first body and the second body.
 24. Theglasses apparatus of claim 1, wherein the audio outputter comprises arechargeable battery or a replaceable battery, which provides power tothe outputter.
 25. The glasses apparatus of claim 1, wherein the secondinterface module receives the audio sound by the second wirelesscommunication method from the display apparatus, and the second wirelesscommunication method comprises one of a radio-frequency, a Bluetooth, azigbee, and an infrared communication.
 26. An audio output apparatuscomprising: an interface module which receives an audio signal for oneof a plurality of contents, wherein the audio signal is provided from adisplay apparatus which operates in a multi-view mode to combine andoutput the plurality of contents; an audio data processor whichprocesses the received audio signal to generate an audio sound; anoutputter which outputs the audio sound; and a connecting portion whichdetachably attaches the audio output apparatus to a glasses apparatus.27. A glasses apparatus comprising: a glasses frame; a first glass and asecond glass mounted on the glasses frame; an interface module whichreceives an audio data packet of each of a plurality of contents outputby a display apparatus; and a controller which activates the interfacemodule according to a timing at which an audio data packet of a contentselected from among the plurality of contents is received.
 28. A displayapparatus comprising: a first video processor which processes a videodata of a first content; a second video processor which processes avideo data of a second content; a display which provides a plurality ofcontents views using the video data processed by the first videoprocessor and the second video processor; a first audio processor whichprocesses an audio data of the first content; a second audio processorwhich processes an audio data of the second content; a packetizer whichpacketizes the audio data processed by the first audio processor and thesecond audio processor; and a communicator which transmits a first audiodata packet and a second audio data packet which are packetized by thepacketizer.
 29. The glasses apparatus according to claim 1, furthercomprising a storage which temporarily stores the audio signalcorresponding to the selected one content received by the secondinterface module and wherein the glasses apparatus working inconjunction with the display apparatus which operates in a multi-viewmode to combine and output a plurality of contents and correspondingaudio sounds.